Banjaran Gatotkaca

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A classical Javanese heritage, wayang orang is a unique form of traditional drama performance that incorporates the arts of music, dance, and theatre. The performance delivers lakon (stories) adapted from two major Sanskrit epics, namely Ramayana and Mahabharata; and is accompanied by gamelan (traditional Javanese musical ensemble). Whilst rich and relevant, the musical and choreographic repertoire in wayang orang remain classic – reflective of the region’s history, cultural, and social façade.

The performance of wayang orang at the prestigious, world-renowned Sydney Opera House is a cultural mission aiming to showcase the best of Indonesian artistry in Australia. It was initiated by Mr. Jaya Suprana, a virtuoso pianist, notable philanthropist, and one of the nation’s most influential figures. A joint effort between Jaya Suprana School of Performing Arts and L’Linka Communication it is also fully endorsed by the Indonesian Ministry of Culture and Tourism and supported by Optus and Telkomsel.

The upcoming show is titled ‘Gatotkaca’, narrating memoirs of Raden Gatotkaca, arguably the most important hero in the Mahabharata epic. He is the acknowledged son of Bima, the second of Pandawa, the protagonists of the saga. His maternal parentage made him a half-giant and an innate strong fighter. He was killed in the Great War of Bharatayudha out of loyalty to his family and fighting for what is right.

Directed by Mr Supono H.U. and Mrs Surip Handayani, ‘Gatotkaca’ will feature senior and emerging talents from Wayang Orang Bharata, as well as wayang orang enthusiasts whose notable contributions have helped to keep the tradition alive and well. The production will employ modern theatrical techniques and state-of-the-art lighting plan, although the traditional dramatic form will be retained. The performance will be delivered in Javanese, but captions and subtitles will be provided on side screens to assist the audience.

The play narrates the memoir of Gatotkaca, a prominent warrior in Sanskrit Mahabharata epic, highlighting the events of birth and death of the character. The core story of Mahabharata is a dynastic struggle for the throne of Hastinapura, the kingdom ruled by the Kuru clan. The two collateral branches of the family that participate in the struggle are the Kurawa and the Pandawa. The 100 brothers of Kurawa, led by the eldest sibling Duryodhana, depicted antagonistic characters as opposed to the Pandawas, which consists of five brothers, namely Yudhistira, Bima, Arjuna, Nakula, and Sadewa. Gatotkaca is the son of Bima, the second sibling of the Pandawa.

The play begins with the event of Gatotkaca’s birth, in which Gatotkaca’s umbilical cord was unbreakable by any sword (keris) other than the Kontawijaya, a divine weapon that belonged to the gods. Batara Narada, the messenger of gods intended to bestow the weapon to Raden Harjuna, Gatotkaca’s uncle. Unfortunately, he confused Adipati Karno with Harjuna due to their identical looks. Karno is Harjuna’s half-brother who is a strong ally of the Kurawa.Both Karno and Harjuna claim their rights over the Kontawijaya, resulting in a battle. Karno won, while Harjuna was left only with casing of the weapon. As the casing was as powerful as the weapon, it was able to cut the baby’s umbilical cord. However, it magically ‘vanished’ into the infant’s body as it cut through his umbilical cord.

Following the strange event, Batara Guru ordered the Pandawa to bring the infant to the nirvana, where a war between the gods and the evil King Kolopracono was taking place. The infant was thrown at the crowd of the combating soldiers and miraculously resisted all the harm forced by the enemy soldiers. The annoyed soldiers later threw Gatotkaca further into Candradimuka Crater. Batara Guru ordered the gods to throw their most powerful weapons into the the crater as to endow the infant the supernatural powers of the weapons. Gatotkaca survived and emerged out of the crater as a strong and dexterous young knight. Alone, he surmounted all of Kolopracono’s soldiers.

When he grew up, Gatotkaca married Dewi Pergiwa, his cousin, daughter of uncle Harjuna. Dewi Pergiwa was initially arranged to marry Lesmana Mandrakumara, the son of Duryodhana. Gatotkaca kidnapped Dewi Pergiwa, causing Bima’s anger. However, realizing that Gatotkaca and Dewi Pergiwa have been in love with each other, Bima gave his son his consent to marry Dewi Pergiwa.

The struggle to the throne of Hastinapura finally culminated in the Great War of Bharatayudha. In this event, Gatotkaca was appointed as a supreme commander for the Pandawa army, confronting Karno, the commander of the Kurawa army. At the battle, Gatotkaca was unbeatable. However, the fate had it that the Kontawijaya must reunite with its casing. As Karno released the Kontawijaya, the weapon relentlessly pursued its casing – which lied inside Gatotkaca’s body. Gatotkaca eventually died out of loyalty to his family and fighting for what is right.